Moline native Matt Lackey, an NCAA wrestling champion for Illinois in 2003, has joined the coaching staff at Lock Haven (Pa.) as an assistant coach.

A three-time all-American with the Fighting Illini, Lackey's first full-time assistant coaching position is with a traditionally strong NCAA Division I program that is in a state of transition.

The Bald Eagles qualified one wrestler for the 2009 NCAA Championships, and former coach Rocky Bonomo announced his retirement Nov. 2.

Assistant coach Robbie Waller was promoted to the fill the coaching vacancy and he announced his staff Wednesday.

Lackey is a two-time Olympic Trials qualifier who finished fourth in the 2008 U.S. Senior Nationals. His resumé also includes a pair of Illinois state high school championships while competing for Moline.

"I'm excited about the opportunity and am looking forward to using my knowledge in the sport to help turn the program around," Lackey said in a statement. "We have great expectations, and I'm looking forward to helping produce all-Americans and national champions. Our coaching staff has some impressive credentials and we don't expect anything less from the guys."

Waller said he feels fortunate to have secured Lackey for the position so close to the start of the season.

"Matt is going to be an outstanding coach," Waller said. "The team has already taken to him, which is a positive."

In addition to Lackey, Waller has hired Teyon Ware, a two-time NCAA champion for Oklahoma, to complete his staff.